Reps. Ebli, Lisa Brown, Ball, Barnett, Terry Brown, Constan, Dean, Durhal, Geiss, Gonzales, Green, Huckleberry, Robert Jones, Kandrevas, Kennedy, Knollenberg, Lahti, Lemmons, Liss, Mayes, Melton, Neumann, Polidori, Proos, Roberts, Scripps, Segal, Slavens, Spade, Stanley, Tlaib, Valentine and Warren offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 183.

A resolution recognizing November 2009 as Dwarfism Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Dwarfism is a condition characterized by short stature, meaning an adult height of 4 feet 10 inches or less; and

Whereas, Dwarfism can be caused by any one of more than two hundred conditions, most of which are genetic. The most common type, accounting for 70 percent of all cases of short stature, is called achondroplasia; and

Whereas, Dwarfism can and most often does occur in families where both parents are of average height. In fact, 85 percent of children with achondroplasia are born to average-size parents; and

Whereas, Dwarfism is not in any way an intellectual disability. A person who has dwarfism is typically of normal intelligence; and

Whereas, Dwarfism is not a disease that requires a ‘cure.’ Most people with the condition can live long, fulfilling lives; and

Whereas, Dwarfism is not a reason to assume someone is incapable of leading a normal and fulfilling life. Little people go to school, go to work, marry, and raise children, just like their average-size peers; now, therefore be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize November 2009 as Dwarfism Awareness Month in the state of Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this legislative body urge all Michiganians to use this month as an opportunity to educate themselves about Dwarfism.